Ortensia Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin 1678

Gerard Valck created this engraving of Ortensia Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin in 1678. Mancini's life was defined by her status as niece to Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister to the French kings. This portrait captures Mancini in a moment of poised reflection, draped in fabric that hints at classical antiquity. However, her story is far from traditional. She fled her arranged marriage and carved out an independent life, supported by her intellectual pursuits. Mancini was a patron of the arts and sciences who cultivated spaces for vibrant political and intellectual discussion. Valck's engraving immortalizes a woman who defied the constraints of her time. It subtly disrupts the traditional narrative of female aristocracy, presenting Mancini as a figure of individual agency within a world of dynastic power. The portrait reflects the emotional complexities of a woman navigating love, loss, and liberty.